On today’s episode of You Asked… we cover viewer questions including: LG G5 or Samsung S95F? What’s a good soundbar for under $400? And why do reviewers tend to lean toward LG OLED over Sony for gaming?
Choosing Between the Samsung S95F and LG G5
Brandon asks: I recently purchased The Frame Pro from Samsung but returned it because I didn’t like the Wireless One Connect Box. Now, I’m looking at the Samsung S95F or LG G5 instead, and they seem like better performing TVs anyway. I’ve seen them both in person, and I’m leaning toward Samsung, but wanted another opinion. What do you think?
Brandon, you’ve got some top-tier options to choose from. Sounds like this TV is going to be in a main space of the house, or at least an area that prioritizes form and function if you’re going for a TV like the Frame Pro, which can pass as an art display or TV, and can fill the void on the wall with art instead of a blank screen when the TV is off.
I’ve watched plenty of TV on The Frame and don’t really have an issue, but I haven’t seen The Frame Pro, though reviews suggest it’s not the best viewing experience.
You’re making a great choice, especially if you can use the S95F or G5 in a screensaver mode or display art on the screen another way for parties or gatherings.
If you liked The Frame Pro and the only issue was the Wireless One Connect Box, then the Samsung S95F makes the most sense. It still has the matte finish, and even better, it’s a QD-OLED panel instead of Mini LED.
In general, it’s just a much better TV than the Frame Pro for viewing purposes. The G5 is a great option as well, with its Tandem RGB OLED panel looking gorgeous, but Samsung just makes more sense for you in this case. Hopefully you get a good deal.
Best Soundbars Under $400
Joel asks: I currently have a setup with a lot of retro game consoles, but it leaves me with very little room for sound equipment. I don’t need anything high-end, but I don’t want junk either. I was thinking a small soundbar, but would be open to other ideas. Do you have any suggestions under $400?
Joel, your retro game setup sounds awesome. I’d love to know what you’re rocking. For the best soundbar under $400, the first one that comes to mind is the Sonos Beam Gen 2.
It meets your price requirement, as it’s on sale well under $400 at several retailers right now. It’s high quality with support for Dolby Atmos if your TV supports it, and offers solid sound overall. Plus, if you ever make space for more, you can use the Beam as an anchor for a full Sonos system.
You can add a subwoofer or satellite speakers later to create a surround setup with heavy-hitting bass. For your needs, the Beam provides much better sound than your TV alone.
The Sonos Ray is another good option. It uses an optical cable instead of HDMI, doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, but still delivers Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround Sound. Even if you don’t use all these features, it’s still a major upgrade for gaming audio.
If you want something smaller and cheaper, the Roku Streambar is a solid option. Usually around $100, it’s currently on sale for $70. Its small size is ideal for minimal setups, and it has built-in 4K streaming capabilities, so you don’t need a separate streaming device.
These aren’t the only options, but they’re the first that come to mind. Viewer suggestions are always welcome to help Joel find the best fit.
LG OLED vs Sony for Gaming
@sanchit2393 asks: I’ve seen many reviewers recommend LG OLED over Sony for gaming. Is Sony lacking in TV technology or is LG just better? Can you recommend some options?
Sony is certainly not lacking in TV technology. However, a few factors make LG more appealing for gaming.
One is the so-called Sony tax—Sony TVs are positioned as premium products, which means you’ll sometimes pay more for a TV that does similar things as its LG or Samsung counterparts. For example, LG’s B5 OLED is significantly less expensive while offering solid performance, though with some trade-offs.
Another factor is HDMI ports. LG premium TVs often include four HDMI 2.1 ports, whereas Sony typically has two HDMI 2.1 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports. For gamers needing multiple consoles and a soundbar, Sony’s setup may limit you. One of Sony’s HDMI 2.1 ports is dedicated to eARC for advanced audio, leaving only one other for your console to take advantage of HDMI 2.1 and higher frame rates.
Beyond that, gaming dashboards and picture modes vary, so viewer input can help answer why one brand might be better than another.
Recommendations:
- LG C-series TVs, like the C5, offer great brightness and performance, a step up from the B5.
- LG QNED92A is a strong Mini LED option.
- Samsung QN90C QLED TV (2023) is impressive for gaming with four HDMI 2.1 ports.
- Hisense U75QG Mini LED TV (four HDMI ports) and U8QG (three HDMI ports) are budget-friendly alternatives.
